Protector for automobile tops



Feb. 5 1924. M82578 F. H. NASH PROTECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILE TOPS Filed July5, 1922 jwuentoz Patented Feb. 5, 1924.

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FRANK H. NASH, 01! LA FAYETTE, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR TO NASH AUTO ACCESSORYMANUFACTURING CGll'ZPANY, OF LA FAYETTE, GEORGIA,

PROTECTOR FOR AUTOMOBILE TOPS.

Application filed. July 5,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK H. Nasrr, a citizen of the United States,residing at La Fayette, in the county of Walker and State of Georgia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protectors forAutomobile Tops, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to devices adapted to be disposed upon the bowsof automobile tops for the purpose of keeping the top tight andpreventing it from bagging.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of thischaracter which is adapted to be disposed between the middle bow of theautomobile top and the cover and which prevents the tacks from workingout of the bow lining and prevents the lining from wearing out orbecoming loose, this device further protecting the material of the topfrom beating out on the bows or coming in contact with the tacks.

A still further object is to provide a device of this character whichwill prevent or deaden the vibrations of the bow relative to the coverso that the material of the top will not stretch or jerk on the backourtain.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1is a fragmentary elevation of the bow of an automobile top, the cover ofthe top being shown in section, my device being shown as appliedthereto;

igure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a face view of the strip 11;

Referring to these drawings, 10 designates the middle bow of anautomobile top which is, of course, of the usual construction. Disposedupon the outer edge face of the bow is a metallic strip 11 having lugs12 at intervals which are bent down at right angles to the body of thestrip so as to embrace the side faces of the bow and be clamped theretoby tacks 13. Disposed above this metal strip and resiliently supportedtherefrom is a longitudinally extended, metal cap 14; tJ-shaped in crosssec- 1922. Serial No. 572,896.

tion and open at its ends, the corners of the cap being rounded, as at15.

Disposed between the inner face of. this cap and the upper face of thestrip 11 are a plurality of leaf springs 16, these springs beingpreferably V-shaped so as to provide two arms, one of which arms isattached at its extremity to the metallic strip 11 and the otherattached to the upper wall of the cap 14. The metal cap 14 is preferablycovered, at least as regards its upper face, with a layer of felt 17.The springs urge this cap 14 upward against the material of the cover 18and hold this cover taut.

The device is intended to be mounted on the top of the middle bow orbows of the automobile top between pads and acts to level the top coverand keep the tacks in the bows from working, out of the bow lining, andprevents the lining from wear ing out or coming loose. Inasmuch as thematerial of the top is lifted off of the bow 10, the material of the topwill be protected from beating out on the bows or coming in contact withthe tacks. Furthermore, the material of the top will be held taut andprevented from bagging. This device helps to take care of the bowvibrations so that the material of the top will. not stretch nor jerk onthe back curtain. About 90% of all the tops become damaged by thematerial of the top or cover cutting or wearing out where they are looseover the middle bows and this device entirely prevents this action.

I claim 1. An attachment of the character described comprising asupporting strip adapted to be attached to and extend longitudinally ofthe upper edge face of the bow of a vehicle top, a member U-shaped incross section and adapted to bear against the under face of the cover ofthe vehicle top and having sufficient width whereby it may embrace thehow when fully depressed, and springs each attached at one end to saidsupporting strip and at the other to said member and resisting thedownward movement of the member.

2. An attachment of the character described comprising a supportingstrip adapted to rest upon the upper edge of a vehicle top bow andhaving lugs adapted to embrace the side faces of said bow and beattached thereto, a cover supporting body U-shzpped incross section andhaving a Width greater than the strip, and V-shaped springs, each Springhaving one end mounted upon the strip and the other end engaging theinner face of the body and re sisting movement of the body toward thestrip. 10

In testimony whereof 1:11ereuntoeflix my signature.

FRANK H. NASH.

